Funding Approved for Next Stage of Velodrome Study in West Midlands

Dudley Council has secured £53,000 in grant funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority and Sport England to proceed to the next phase of a study exploring the development of new cycling facilities in the region.

The initial phase, completed in 2024, recommended establishing a multi-purpose cycling venue that would offer both indoor and outdoor activities. Central to these plans is the possibility of constructing a 250-metre velodrome track.

Former West Midlands Mayor Andy Street commented on the project in 2024: “For a number of years, there has been extensive campaigning on this issue, and I committed to funding a business case for a velodrome. We now have that report and will next explore how to integrate track cycling within a broader range of cycling facilities accessible to all levels and disciplines.”

The funding approval was granted by Anne Boyd, Dudley’s Director of Growth and Infrastructure, following consultations with Cabinet Member Simon Phipps. Documentation accompanying the decision highlighted that the forthcoming study will build on the existing evidence base to identify preferred options, assess potential sites, evaluate viability, explore funding sources, and conduct demand analyses.

Additionally, the study will examine financial and delivery considerations to determine whether the project presents a viable investment opportunity. The council anticipates beginning this study in March 2027.

Jon Dutton OBE, Chief Executive Officer of British Cycling, emphasised the importance of quality local cycling facilities: “These are essential to our mission to encourage more people to discover the joy of cycling and to develop the sport across the West Midlands.”

Campaigner David Viner echoed this sentiment, stating: “An indoor velodrome is among the most adaptable and inclusive sporting arenas possible. It is time for the West Midlands to match progress seen elsewhere in the UK.”